Electric Vehicle and Hybrid - Frequently Asked Questions

How do electric vehicles work?

Electric
vehicles, unlike most other on the market, use electricity for power.
Electricity is stored in a large battery that is charged from an electric
supply, such as a wall plug or a charging station. Unlike hybrid cars, pure
electric vehicles’ engines do not use any other type of fuel whatsoever.​

Are electric vehicles the future?

Resources
such as oil, coal and gas are finite, which means that they will eventually run
out one day. Electricity, on the other hand, is sustainable, friendlier for the
planet and easier to put into use. For these reasons, electric vehicles are
often seen as being the future, with the UK having committed itself to banning
diesel and petrol cars by 2040.​

Are electric vehicles worth it?

Although
the initial cost of an electric vehicle is higher than that of conventional
one, electric vehicle battery prices have dropped 80% in the last 6 years,
making the vehicles themselves increasingly more affordable as well. Government
grants exist for both Plug-In Vehicles and homechargers and the Energy Saving
Trusts estimates that charging an electric car at home costs between £2 and £4
for every 100 miles, making them extremely cost-effective.​

How does the Nissan LEAF work?

The newest generation of the LEAF has a
range of up to 150 miles and 100% torque off the line, with no emissions
whatsoever. This is possible thanks to the near-instantaneous power of
electricity and the improvements that EV batteries have seen. Charged using a
240V outlet at home, one hour of charge allows for up to 22 miles of range.​

How much does the Nissan LEAF battery cost?

You
won’t have to worry about having to change your new LEAF’s battery, as all new
models we sell come with a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever
occurs first. Even if you buy a used LEAF, Nissan have only had to replace 3
batteries out of 30,000 in Europe from 2011 to 2014. With the technology
getting better and better, you won’t have to worry about buying a replacement
battery.​

How do you charge the Nissan LEAF at home?

You
can charge the Nissan LEAF the traditional way like any other appliance by
using a domestic wall socket, or using a home charger. If you buy a new LEAF
through finance, you might be eligible for a grant towards installing a home
charger, with the latest 7kW home charger allowing for a full charge in as
little as 7.5 hours.​

What happens if my Nissan LEAF doesn’t charge?

In
the unlikely event that this happens, check if the Charging Timer mode is on.
If it is off, attempt a “reboot” of the car by unplugging the battery,
disconnecting it on the negative side under the hood, and then reconnecting it
after 5 to 10 minutes. If the problem persists, contact us to book an
inspection to help identify the issue.​

What is the Quick Charge Port on the Nissan LEAF?

An
optional addition to the old models of the Nissan LEAF, it is now standard on
all trims of the newest generation LEAF. The Quick Charge Port is a 50kW
CHAdeMO rapid charging port that allows for full charge to be achieved in less
than an hour when used with a compatible charger.​

What electric vehicles are available?

Virtually
all manufacturers are releasing electric models at the minute. Our favourites
at the moment have to be the Nissan LEAF, Renault Zoe and Tesla Model S. We
have great offers and prices on all our electric vehicles, so take the time to
browse our offers and new and used stock.​

How do hybrid vehicles work?

Using
both a fuel and an electric engine, hybrid vehicles make use of one or the
other when that type of power is most efficient. For instance, it is common
that for up to 15 mph, only electric power is used, with the petrol engine
kicking in afterwards when it is most efficient. Systems such as regenerative
braking allow for the wheels to recharge the battery while petrol is being
used. Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) allow for a larger battery that
can be charged like that of a regular electric vehicle, as well as for the car
to run in Electric-only mode for a short while.

Will a hybrid save me money?

Fuel savings offer the main savings when running a hybrid, especially in town, because it often drives only using its electric powered engine with electricity that has been self-generated in motion meaning that you're not using fuel. You can make a small saving on hybrid models registered after 1st April 2017 which only pay £130 on annual road tax compared to petrol and diesel engine cars that are charged £140. Used hybrid cars registered before 1st April 2017 will still have their road tax charged according to CO2 emissions. Thanks to their low emissions levels, you will likely pay £0 annually. In addition, if they emit less than 75g/km, it will also be exempt from the congestion charge which currently stands at £11.50 a day.

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